{{short description|1991 film by R.K. Selvamani}} {{Distinguish|Velupillai Prabhakaran}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use Indian English|date=January 2022}} {{Infobox film | image = Captain Prabhakaran poster.jpg | caption = Poster | director = R. K. Selvamani {{Infobox | decat = yes | child = yes | label1= Produced by | data1 = Ibrahim Rowther }} | screenplay = R. K. Selvamani | story = Batten Boss (K. M. Chacko ) {{Infobox | decat = yes | child = yes | label1= Dialogues by | data1 = Liaquat Ali Khan }} | starring = Vijayakanth | cinematography = {{ubl|Rajarajan|A. Ramesh Kumar}} | editing = G. Jayachandran<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 June 2020 |title=Film editor G. Jayachandran dead |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/film-editor-g-jayachandran-dead/article31914312.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628085214/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/film-editor-g-jayachandran-dead/article31914312.ece |archive-date=28 June 2020 |access-date=26 June 2020 |work=The Hindu}}</ref><br />V. Udhayashankar | music = Ilaiyaraaja | studio = I. V. Cine Productions | released = {{film date|1991|4|14|df=y}} | runtime = 162 minutes | country = India | language = Tamil }} '''''Captain Prabhakaran''''' is a 1991 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by R. K. Selvamani. The film stars Vijayakanth, leading an ensemble cast that includes M. N. Nambiar, Sarathkumar, J. Livingston (credited as Ranjan), Rupini, Ramya Krishnan and Mansoor Ali Khan, in his first major role. It was Vijayakanth's 100th film, and popularised the sobriquet "captain" for him.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 January 2004 |title=Vijayakanth vs 'Virumaandi' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/vijayakanth-vs-virumaandi/article28187984.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813104247/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/vijayakanth-vs-virumaandi/article28187984.ece |archive-date=13 August 2021 |access-date=18 April 2020 |work=The Hindu}}</ref>
The character of the antagonist Veerabhadran, played by Mansoor Ali Khan, is loosely based on the forest brigand Veerappan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 March 2012 |title=Quizzing with K-Circle |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/quizzing-with-kcircle/article2965018.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813104254/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/quizzing-with-kcircle/article2965018.ece |archive-date=13 August 2021 |access-date=4 January 2015 |work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vijayakumar |first=K. C. |date=20 August 2025 |title=‘Captain Prabhakaran’: a strong hit of Vijayakant nostalgia |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/vijayakants-captain-prabhakaran-re-release-a-strong-hit-of-captain-nostalgia/article69954950.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250820162921/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/vijayakants-captain-prabhakaran-re-release-a-strong-hit-of-captain-nostalgia/article69954950.ece |archive-date=20 August 2025 |access-date=20 August 2025 |website=The Hindu}}</ref> The title of the film was inspired from Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPgw32Gpi7U |title=R. K. Selvamani in Toronto 16 Mar 2013 – Part 1 |date=17 March 2013 |publisher=Tamils Business Connections |access-date=4 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608055218/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPgw32Gpi7U |archive-date=8 June 2023 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-lssnqf_RI |title=R. K. Selvamani in Toronto, Part 2 |date=17 March 2013 |publisher=Tamils Business Connections |access-date=29 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629123630/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-lssnqf_RI |archive-date=29 June 2016 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}</ref> Upon its release, the film became a blockbuster at the box office.<ref name="cap">{{Cite news |last=Kesavan |first=N. |date=14 May 2016 |title=100th film jinx grips the mighty sans 'Captain' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/tamil-film-industry-100th-film-jinx-grips-the-mighty-sans-captain/article8595803.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628234546/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/tamil-film-industry-100th-film-jinx-grips-the-mighty-sans-captain/article8595803.ece |archive-date=28 June 2018 |access-date=18 April 2020 |work=The Hindu}}</ref>
== Plot == Captain Prabhakaran is an IFS officer (Indian Forest Service) sent to Sathyamangalam to nab Veerabhadran, who tortures the people of that place. Prabhakaran is not only going to nab Veerabhadran, but also avenge the death of his friend Rajaraman IFS, who was killed by Veerabhadran. The police commissioner and the district collector are corrupt and also support Veerabhadran. In the climax, Veerabhadran kidnaps Prabhakaran's wife and son. Prabhakaran arrives at the right time and saves his wife and son. He then nabs Veerabhadran. Poongkodi was Rajaraman's lover. She dies while giving birth to his child. Veerabhadran is shot dead by the corrupt inspector and collector. Prabhakaran kills both of them. He is then dragged to court for killing the police inspector and the collector. Prabhakaran tells the truth that they were corrupt, and the film ends with Prabhakaran being released from the court.
== Cast == {{Cast listing| * Vijayakanth as Captain Prabhakaran IFS * M. N. Nambiar as Police Commissioner S. Ramanathan * Sarathkumar as Rajaraman IFS * Ranjan as Krishnamurthy * Rupini as Gayathri * Ramya Krishnan as Poongkodi * Gandhimathi as Fathima Beevi * Yuvasri as Lalitha, Rajaraman's Younger Sister * Peeli Sivam as Raja * V. M. John as Minister Sabanayagam *Mansoor Ali Khan as Veerabhadran *Ponnambalam as Sub Inspector (uncredited) *LIC Narasimhan as Police officer Sriram (uncredited) *Karikalan as Veerabhadran's henchman (uncredited) }}
== Production == After the success of ''Pulan Visaranai'', producer Ibrahim Rowther decided to make another project with star Vijayakanth and director R. K. Selvamani titled ''Captain Prabhakaran'', the plotline of the film was based on the forest brigand Veerappan. The film also was the 100th project of Vijayakanth. Since majority of the scenes were set in a forest, Selvamani who was scouting locations all over India finally zeroed in Chalakudy. The filming was held at Chalakudy for 60 days.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 September 2013 |title='புலன் விசாரணை' வெற்றி எதிரொலி: 'டைரக்ஷனுக்கு ரூ.25 லட்சம் தருகிறேன்!' செல்வமணிக்கு 'ஜீவி' அழைப்பு |url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/09/05231139/selvamani-cinema-history.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101210751/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/09/05231139/selvamani-cinema-history.html |archive-date=1 January 2015 |access-date=13 November 2013 |website=Maalai Malar |language=ta}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 September 2013 |title=கேப்டன் பிரபாகரன் படப்பிடிப்பு பயங்கர காடுகளில் நடைபெற்ற மெய்சிலிர்க்கும் சம்பவங்கள் |url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/09/06231550/selvamani-cinema-history.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101223815/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/09/06231550/selvamani-cinema-history.html |archive-date=1 January 2015 |access-date=13 November 2013 |website=Maalai Malar |language=ta}}</ref> Many scenes were also filmed at Athirappilly Falls.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=15 April 2022 |title=ரம்யா கிருஷ்ணனின் ராசியை மீறி ஜெயித்த கேப்டன் பிரபாகரன்! |url=https://tamil.news18.com/photogallery/entertainment/cinema-vijayakanth-rk-selvamani-captain-prabhakaran-breaks-ramya-krishnan-failure-sign-scs-731589.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920042524/https://tamil.news18.com/photogallery/entertainment/cinema-vijayakanth-rk-selvamani-captain-prabhakaran-breaks-ramya-krishnan-failure-sign-scs-731589.html |archive-date=20 September 2022 |access-date=20 September 2022 |website=News18 |language=ta}}</ref> Due to excessive rainfall and accidents happened there, Rowther ordered Selvamani to conduct remaining filming at Mundanthurai forest at Thirunelveli; however, Selvamani was unimpressed with that location and choose to film again at Chalakudy.<ref name="vi">{{Cite web |date=13 August 2025 |title=உறுமிய மன்சூர், அலறிய சரண்யா, கர்ஜித்த விஜயகாந்த் - `கேப்டன் பிரபாகரன்' நினைவுகள் பகிரும் செல்வமணி |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/kollywood/vijayakanth-captain-prabhakaran-re-release-rk-selvamani-interview?pfrom=also-read |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250821135708/https://cinema.vikatan.com/kollywood/vijayakanth-captain-prabhakaran-re-release-rk-selvamani-interview?pfrom=also-read |archive-date=21 August 2025 |access-date=21 August 2025 |website=Cinema Vikatan |language=ta}}</ref> The film had Mansoor Ali Khan in his first major role,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=S. R. Ashok |date=9 October 2010 |title=Grill Mill – Mansoor Ali Khan |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Grill-Mill-Mansoor-Ali-Khan/article15774594.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606171857/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Grill-Mill-Mansoor-Ali-Khan/article15774594.ece |archive-date=6 June 2021 |access-date=18 April 2020 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> for which Karikalan was the initial choice who was removed after Selvamani felt he looked disinterested in portraying the role of Veerabhadran.<ref name="vi" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 December 2019 |title=கரிகாலன் வரலாறு! |url=http://www.kungumam.co.in/VArticalinnerdetail.aspx?id=9856&id1=40&issue=20191213 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308055755/http://www.kungumam.co.in/VArticalinnerdetail.aspx?id=9856&id1=40&issue=20191213 |archive-date=8 March 2024 |access-date=8 March 2024 |website=Kungumam |language=ta}}</ref> However Karikalan did appear as an extra portraying one of Veerabhadran's henchman.<ref name="movie">{{Cite AV media |title=Captain Prabhakaran |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=I. V. Cine Productions |year=1991 |time=1:01:15 to 1:01:32 |time-caption=From}}</ref> During the shoot, a rope to which Vijayakanth was bound snapped and his shoulder got dislocated. With both his hands tied he screamed in pain, but this was mistaken for acting, and as a result, there was a delay in getting medical assistance.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shivakumar |first=S. |date=26 August 2005 |title=Playing a Captain's innings |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/08/26/stories/2005082600040400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516043056/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/08/26/stories/2005082600040400.htm |archive-date=16 May 2018 |access-date=16 May 2018 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> Saranya Ponvannan was originally cast as Poongudi,<ref>{{Cite news |last=நா,அ.பாலாஜி |first=நிவேதா. |date=9 August 2025 |title=Captain Prabhakaran: ''இந்தப் படத்தில் நடிக்க வேண்டிய ஹீரோயின் இவங்க தான்!'' - மன்சூர் அலி கான் |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/story/kollywood/captain-prabhakaran-vijayakanth-100th-film-re-release-2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250809131025/https://cinema.vikatan.com/story/kollywood/captain-prabhakaran-vijayakanth-100th-film-re-release-2025 |archive-date=9 August 2025 |access-date=9 August 2025 |work=Cinema Vikatan |language=ta}}</ref> but left as the role was glamorous;<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=பாலு |first=எஸ். |date=28 October 1990 |title='அஞ்சு' பெரிய படங்களில் அஞ்சு! |url=https://ibb.co/k5JFStG |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608054807/https://ibb.co/k5JFStG |archive-date=8 June 2023 |access-date=8 June 2023 |magazine=Kalki |page=28 |language=Ta}}</ref> the role went to Ramya Krishnan.<ref name=":0" /> A train fight sequence was shot at Andipatti Mountain Pass for four days with 100 horses.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 August 2025 |title=ரயில் பைட், ஆட்டமா தேரோட்டமா... : ‛கேப்டன் பிரபாகரன்' மலரும் நினைவில் ஆர்.கே.செல்வமணி |url=https://www.dinamalar.com/cinemanews/131962 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250821082443/https://www.dinamalar.com/cinemanews/131962 |archive-date=21 August 2025 |access-date=20 August 2025 |website=Dinamalar |language=Ta}}</ref>
== Soundtrack == The soundtrack has only two songs, both composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The song "Aattama Therottama" is set in the Carnatic raga known as Sindhu Bhairavi.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sundararaman |title=Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music |publisher=Pichhamal Chintamani |year=2007 |edition=2nd |location=Chennai |pages=125 |oclc=295034757 |orig-date=2005}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mani |first=Charulatha |author-link=Charulatha Mani |date=10 May 2013 |title=Light and melodious |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/light-and-melodious/article4702358.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124042709/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/light-and-melodious/article4702358.ece |archive-date=24 January 2021 |access-date=23 July 2018 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> It was later remixed by Prasanna Sekhar in ''Singakutty'' (2008).<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 February 2008 |title=Well picturised |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/Well-picturised/article15374159.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813104232/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/Well-picturised/article15374159.ece |archive-date=13 August 2021 |access-date=18 April 2020 |work=The Hindu}}</ref>
{{track listing | headline = Track listing | extra_column = Singer(s) | total_length = 10:21 | title1 = Paasamulla Paandiyare | lyrics1 = Gangai Amaran | extra1 = Mano, K. S. Chithra | length1 = 5:09 | title2 = Aattama Therottama | lyrics2 = Piraisoodan | extra2 = Swarnalatha | length2 = 5:12 }}
== Reception == On 19 April 1991, ''The Indian Express'' wrote, "The strength of the film is its visual vibrancy and the narrative line too has a great measure of cohesion, despite it being an action film all the way".<ref name="IE review">{{Cite news |date=19 April 1991 |title=Captain Prabhakaran |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19910419&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=3 July 2018 |work=The Indian Express |pages=7 |via=Google News Archive}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 26 April, ''The Hindu'' wrote, "Vijayakanth doing his rough stuff with his known felicity, particularly the fights on top of the moving train, the horse riding horde of Veerabadran's men in ''Sholay'' fashion trying to stop him".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=Srinivasa |date=28 December 2023 |title=Why is Vijayakanth called 'Captain'? A throwback to the actor's 100th film |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/why-is-vijayakanth-called-captain-a-throwback-to-the-actors-100th-film/article67682565.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228082310/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/why-is-vijayakanth-called-captain-a-throwback-to-the-actors-100th-film/article67682565.ece |archive-date=28 December 2023 |access-date=2024-02-29 |work=The Hindu |language=en}}</ref> Unlike other Tamil actors who did not face success with their 100th film, Vijayakanth was considered by N. Kesavan of ''The Hindu'' to have broken that jinx.<ref name="cap" /> Rajarajan won the Cinema Express Award for Best Cameraman.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 February 1992 |title='Chinnathambi' Bags ''Cinema Express'' Award |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VZBlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lJ4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1432,722114&dq=cinema+express&hl=en |access-date=16 February 2024 |work=The Indian Express |pages=3 |via=Google News Archive}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
== Re-release == The film was re-released in 4K quality on 22 August 2025 and was digitalized with Dolby sound.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 August 2025 |title=Shanmuga Pandian says he cried watching his father Vijayakanth in Captain Prabhakaran: 'They have shown him very beautifully...' |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Aug/22/shanmuga-pandian-says-he-cried-watching-his-father-vijayakanth-in-captain-prabhakaran-they-have-shown-him-very-beautifully |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250822141608/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Aug/22/shanmuga-pandian-says-he-cried-watching-his-father-vijayakanth-in-captain-prabhakaran-they-have-shown-him-very-beautifully |archive-date=22 August 2025 |access-date=22 August 2025 |website=Cinema Express}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == *{{IMDb title}} *{{Rotten Tomatoes}} {{R. K. Selvamani}}
Category:1991 action films Category:1991 films Category:1991 Indian films Category:1991 Tamil-language films Category:Fictional portrayals of the Tamil Nadu Police Category:Films about corruption in India Category:Films directed by R. K. Selvamani Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja Category:Films set in forests Category:Films shot in Chalakudy Category:Films shot in Thrissur Category:Indian action films Category:Indian films about revenge Category:Tamil-language action films Category:Tamil-language Indian films